NAVAL TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1931, Page 3

NAVAL TREATY

SOME DIFFICULT POINTS

I United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, April 4

The drafting of the Franco-Italian Naval Treaty is proving more difficult than was anticipated and the members of the committee have returned to their respective countries to consult their Governments, according to a message received from the Paris correspondent of the British United Press. The French,, viewpoint is that while the agreement governs the mini her of replacement units to be commissioned before 1936, it does not govern the amount of tonnage which can be constructed. Therefore vessels in excess of the tonnage allotted could he built, provided that they were not. utilised at present. FRANCE’S SACRIFICE. It is understood that the. French claim that new ships begun after 1934, but not completed by 1936, are excluded from the Treaty. They claim, therefore, that they may build 06,000 tons in 1934-5-6, which will he completed after 1936, to replace obsolete vessels. This is stated to represent a voluntary sacrifice of half the tonnage that France, feels that she needs lor replacement. SPIRIT AND LETTER. \ message from Rome states that Italy is insisting on the observance of 'the spirit as well as the letter ot tld 1 agreement, but does not hold the opinion shared elsewhere regarding the possibility of a breakdown of negotiations.

JAPANESE NAVY. POWERFUL ADDITIONS. TOKIO, April 5. An aircraft carrier of 7,000 tons, the Rajujo, was launched at Yokohama on Thursday, and the 10,000-ton cruiser, Cliokai, was launched at Nagasaki today. Prince Fushimi represented the Emperor at both functions. There were enormous crowds.

Eight destroyers, three cruisers and a minelayer have been removed from the active list.